Know the best benefits of Barley

If you are having trouble suffering from medical conditions like hypertension, arthritis, asthma, impotence, skin problems, anemia, obesity, constipation, diabetes, kidney problems, or heart disease, then maybe it is time you learned about the health benefits of barley. The benefits are mainly attributed to the eight essential amino acids it contains, which means that it represents the complete protein requirement in our diet. Recent research says that consuming whole barley also regulates blood sugar to a great extent.

There are so many rampant ailments occurring in recent years, proving that even our regular diet is lacking in important nutrients. One of the most important nutrients that we often tend to neglect is fiber. Barley is an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber, which ensures good overall health in the long run.

Before we continue with the health benefits, you will be pleased to know that you can eat it in many types of preparations, such as salads, soups, stew, and even with chicken, lamb, or tandoori style. Therefore, it does not add value only for your health but also for your palate, join us and learn about the best benefits of Barley.

Barley Health Benefits
Barley is used for skin care, boosting immunity, and preventing disorders like osteoporosis, gallstones, and diabetes. Let's look at the common benefits in detail:

Keeps the gut healthy
Barley, being an excellent source of fiber, keeps your body free of toxins. Its herb, which is rich in dietary fiber, acts as a fuel source for the friendly bacteria in our large intestine. These bacteria help to ferment the fiber content of barley, forming butyric acid, which is the main fuel for intestinal cells. It is very effective in maintaining a healthy colon. By keeping the intestine in good health, it helps to decrease the movement time of the stool and keep the stomach clean. It also greatly reduces the chances of colon cancer and hemorrhoids.

Protects against gallstones
Barley effectively helps women avoid developing gallstones. Since it is rich in insoluble fiber, it actually helps you reduce bile acid secretion, which increases insulin sensitivity and lowers triglyceride levels. An article in the American Journal of Gastroenterology says that women who eat a fibrous diet have a 17% lower risk of gallstones compared to other women.

Prevents osteoporosis
The phosphorus and copper content in barley grass ensures overall bone health. If you have osteoporosis, it can be your natural remedy. Its juice is known to have a calcium content 11 times higher than milk. Calcium, as we know, is one of the key components in protecting bone health. We need manganese for normal bone production, as well as in cases of iron deficiency anemia. The manganese content found in barley works in association with B vitamins; therefore, keeping the overall health intact.

BarleyImproves the immune system
Being highly nutritious, barley is particularly helpful as it strengthens your immune system and reduces the chances of cold and flu. Iron improves blood volume and prevents anemia and fatigue. It helps in proper kidney function and cell development of the body. In addition, it contains copper, which forms hemoglobin and red blood cells.

Skin care
Barley is a good source of selenium, which helps preserve the elasticity of the skin, thus protecting it against free radical damage and slackening. On the other hand, it also improves our heart, pancreas and the functioning of the immune system. A selenium deficiency can lead to skin, colon, prostate, liver, stomach, and breast cancer.

Control cholesterol levels
The insoluble fiber in barley produces propionic acid that helps keep blood cholesterol levels low. Being an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber, it is also specifically recommended by doctors for its naturally low fat content and zero cholesterol properties.

Barley helps control diabetes
Barley does help to control type 2 diabetes. However, one can prevent this type of diabetes by losing weight, engaging in vigorous physical activity, and including plenty of whole grains in the diet. Therefore, high fiber foods should be included in the daily diet of diabetic patients. Its grain has all the essential vitamins and minerals, particularly beta-glucan soluble fiber that slows the absorption of glucose. The December 2006 issue of Nutrition Research has shown that insulin-resistant men who consumed barley beta-glucan soluble fiber significantly reduced glucose and insulin levels compared to other test subjects.

Barley grass helps boost the body's immune defense mechanism. Regular consumption of barley grass provides the necessary nutrition that is necessary to balance the optimal production of immune cells in the body. A strong and effective immune defense system fights infections and prevents the development of fatal diseases.
Barley contains certain types of phytonutrients known as plant lignans, which are transformed by friendly flora in our intestines into mammalian lignans. One of these new lignans is called enterolactone, which helps prevent breast cancer and other hormonal cancers, as well as coronary heart disease.

Protects heart health
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the artery walls thicken due to clotting or deposition of fatty materials such as cholesterol. Barley contains niacin (a vitamin B complex) which lowers overall cholesterol and lipoprotein levels and minimizes cardiovascular risk factors. Postmenopausal women who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular disease are specifically recommended to have it at least 6 times a week.

prevents asthma
14.5 kDa is a barley endosperm protein and a major allergen in baker's disease asthma. This is an airborne occupational ailment, predominantly in pastry shops and bakeries. It turns out to be a very effective preventative measure for these types of major wheat allergens.

Ways of Barley Nutrition
Barley Grass is the seedling of your plant. This herb is usually harvested about 200 days after germination, while the shoots are not even a foot tall. People consume it this way because the young leaves are rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids. Although its grains have much more dietary fiber in comparison, the herb has high levels of chlorophyll which detoxifies your body of harmful toxins.

Hulled Barley is also known as hulled barley and is usually eaten after removing the fibrous, inedible outer hull. It is a great source of healthy nutrients. It takes a long time to soak when used in regular cooking. However, the time is worth it, considering the usefulness of the husked barley when you're done. Once the hull is removed, it is known as husked, pot or scotch barley, which is commercially popular and is a highly marketable product. The process of removing the bran and polishing is known as "pearling."

Pearl Barley is readily available in grocery stores and is probably one of the most common ingredients for breakfast and snack recipes around the world. Actually, the husked barley is processed and the bran is removed. It is processed into a number of products such as flours and flakes, which resemble oats or grits.

Barley Green Powder is well known for its medicinal benefits. It is actually the powdered form of barley grass. These herbs are found in a variety of flavors and have superior solubility. Therefore, you can also consume them in the form of juice.

Barley flour: it is often used alternatively as wheat flour or cake flour. The flour obtained from the grinding of whole barley is richer in nutrients than pearl flour since the bran in the former remains intact. It contains some gluten and has been very popular with confectioneries that tend to experiment with alternative types of flours. It has a mild nutty flavor, and this flour has comparatively lower rates of calories and higher levels of fiber.

Barley water: it is effective when your kidneys need rest from excessive stress. People suffering from kidney and bladder ailments can take barley water for therapeutic uses.

YOU CAN ALSO SEE: Learn about the best benefits of Wheat.

How to Select Barley?
When you think about buying it, you must first decide which shape you should buy. Barley is found in various forms, each of which has varied nutritional value. Whole grain barley has the supreme nutritional value, which is found in its grain, leaves and even the extract of the grass.

Barley is widely available as a commercial product throughout the world in various forms. You need to know the exact shape that will best suit your needs. Pearl, flake and hull forms have different uses, so decide what you want before you buy. It is found in both bulk containers and packaged forms; make sure its freshness before taking it home. If you buy it in containers, check the date and also make sure it's sealed properly. Even a small amount of moisture content in canned barley can spoil the grain, so be careful when buying it. Store in clean, airtight glass containers and place in a cool, dry place. During the summer, it is advisable to store it in the refrigerator.